Autoblog

REPORT: The Sky has a limit after all, as GM Kappa production ends

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Pontiac, Saturn

Pontiac Solstice GXP - Click above for high-res image gallery

Old saying: The flame that burns twice as bright burns only half as long. Having driven our share of Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters, we can't honestly declare them to be brightly burning flames. Oh, they have their good points, but the market's worst folding top mechanism and rampant parts-sharing to keep costs in check have taken their toll on the promising droptops. What we can say, however, is that every Kappa platform vehicle is fabulous looking. Even the badge job Opel GT and Daewoo G2X.

Which is why, however small, there's a tiny tear in our eye because of the news that General Motors is shuttering its Boxwood Road plant in Delaware. It makes sense: the bankrupt automaker has euthanized Pontiac and is looking to sell Saturn. Furthermore, sales of the cramped, near-trunkless (or very odd) roadsters didn't exactly keep GM out of the red. Speaking of color, the boys over at Saturn Fans report that the last Kappa to roll off the line was a silver Solstice roadster. We just hope that "Good GM" doesn't look at the end of the Kappa platform as proof that small, sporty, rear-wheel drive convertibles are a dead end. Regardless, reach behind the seat and grab a cold one to pour out for a dead, albeit awkward, homie.

Gallery: Review: 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP

[Source: Saturn Fans]

REPORT: The Sky has a limit after all, as GM Kappa production ends originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe: Great moments in cupholder history

Alex Nunez — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., GM, Pontiac, Humor

2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe's weird cupholders - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you've ever driven a Pontiac Solstice, you know that it's a very pretty but extremely flawed car. In the interest of getting the concept car's look exactly right in production form, GM had to make a host of compromises, which manifest themselves in a number of ways.

You all know about the roadster's ridiculously recalcitrant top mechanism and dearth of usable space for both humans and cargo. What you may not be aware of is that inside the cockpit, there are three cupholders. One is actually semi-usable - it pops out of the transmission tunnel on the passenger side but is a bit flimsy and threatens to dump on your passenger's lap. In the convertible, the other two are mounted in a pop-out tray below the storage bin between the front seats. Perhaps they were designed by someone with a cruel sense of humor. Or maybe by a fan of comic books, because unless one possesses the flexibility of Reed Richards, it's essentially impossible to reach for a drink nestled in one of them without incurring some sort of sports injury.

After our man Sam Abuelsamid reviewed the 2009 Solstice GXP Coupe, I got to spend a week with one myself. (My car had a manual gearbox - the only difference between the two). One of the first things I noticed about the interior is that the tray with the useless cupholders is absent from the space between the seats. I opened the owner's manual and, sure enough, the only cupholder mentioned is the one in the tranny tunnel. But while loading the "trunk" (as it were), I discovered an undocumented feature. Well, two of them, actually.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe

Continue reading 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe: Great moments in cupholder history

2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe: Great moments in cupholder history originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe goes quick, just don't look back

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Coupe, Pontiac, Reviews

2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

Climb into the Pontiac Solstice Coupe and there's an unsettling feeling of familiarity. We've been here before. And after driving off, it all begins to gel, although it has nothing to do with our previous stints in the drop-top variant. The Coupe feels like the unruly offspring of a night of passion between a C4 Corvette coupe and a Dodge Viper. And while the Solstice is nowhere near as large or as powerful as those two American icons, the DNA of both is undoubtedly present in this little machine - for good reason.

It's no coincidence that the history of the Solstice spans the Bob Lutz era at General Motors. After Lutz joined GM in 2001 to guide its product development, one of the first tasks he assigned the design staff was to create a new concept for the Detroit Auto Show. The Solstice was born, a stylistic hit was made and the convertible was rushed to production. Now, as Lutz is winding down his time at GM, the Solstice and the entire Pontiac brand are also fading off into the sunset. In many respects, this Solstice is symbolic of what was right and wrong with GM and Pontiac. And our time with the Solstice Coupe is a telling tale about the final new model from a vanishing brand.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe

Continue reading Review: Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe goes quick, just don't look back

Review: Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe goes quick, just don't look back originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pontiac G8 GXP, Solstice Coupe - Future collectors items? [w/POLL]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Classics, Convertible, Sedan, Performance, Pontiac, Lifestyle, Specialty

2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Like so many former GTO or Trans Am owners out there, will there be a day when you look back at the 2008 Pontiac G8 or Solstice as "the one that got away?" Probably not, according to Rob Hunting, General Manager at AutoTrader Classic. Despite the fact that the G8 GT is an excellent performance car, it's not really all that rare. Same goes for the Solstice. Furthermore, neither nameplate carries a significant amount of cachet - incidentally, that's something that was completely lost when GM inexplicably dropped classic names like Bonneville, Grand Prix and Grand Am.

We're not going to disagree with that assessment, but it may not be the whole story. If sales figures alone can predict a future classic, perhaps we should rush out and put a new Solstice Coupe GXP in our driveway. We spoke with Pontiac's media relations manager, Jim Hopson today, and he informed us that "well under 5,000" 2009 G8 GXPs are expected to roll down the assembly line before it's all said and done. Even more rare will be the 2009 Solstice Coupe. Somewhere between 750 and 800 total Solstice Coupes will be built this year (interestingly, all with sequential VIN numbers), and about three-quarters of those will be optioned with the high-performance GXP trim.

We're not making any recommendations here, but if any current Pontiac vehicle is ever likely to become collectible in the future, we'd put our money on the 2009 Solstice GXP Coupe, followed closely by the 2009 G8 GXP. Care to make any predictions of your own? Take our quick poll below and drop your fellow commenters a line.

View Poll

Gallery: 2010 Pontiac Solstice Coupe

[Source: USA Today, Pontiac]

Pontiac G8 GXP, Solstice Coupe - Future collectors items? [w/POLL] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe Concept in the flesh

Drew Phillips — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Coupe, GM, Pontiac

Click above for a high resolution gallery of the Solstice GXP Coupe Concept

GM gave us an early look at its Solstice GXP Coupe Concept a few days ago, but we made sure to stop by the GM display to check out the coupe in person. We're glad to say that it's just as attractive in person, and we hope the graphics kit is an option when the coupe goes on sale later next year. Already available from the GM Performance Parts catalog is the Stage 2 performance kit and cat-back exhaust that bumps output to 290 hp. This particular Solstice also features blue accent stitching on the seats and race-style pedal covers. Check out the gallery below for the live shots from the show floor.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe Concept LIVE

SEMA 2008: Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe Concept in the flesh originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA Preview: Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe Concept

Drew Phillips — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 09:05:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SEMA Show, Coupe, Pontiac

Click above for a high resolution image

The Pontiac Solstice is no stranger to the show floor at SEMA. Pontiac has previously shown the Solstice Weekend Club Racer in 2005, the Solstice GXP-R in 2006, and the single-seat Solstice SD-290 Concept. last year. For this year, GM's line of performance parts will be shown on the Solstice in coupe form for the first time when the Solstice GXP Coupe Concept is officially unveiled next week in Las Vegas. This customized Solstice shows off GM Performance Parts' Stage 2 performance kit , intake kit, and cat-back exhaust system that boosts horsepower from 260 to 290. The car also features a sportier suspension system, exterior graphics kit, customized leather-trimmed seats, race-style pedal covers, and an iPod interface. More details and live photos soon to come as part of our extensive SEMA 2008 coverage.

[Source: GMInsideNews.com]

SEMA Preview: Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 Nov 2008 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pontiac: G8 and Solstice not being canceled

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:27:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Pontiac, Rumormill

Click above for hi-res gallery of the Pontiac G8 GXP

Pontiac hopes to clear things up with a post on Pontiac blog regarding the future of its current products, namely the G8 and Solstice. It was just the other day that rumors of the brand's two rear-wheel drive vehicles possible being canceled hit the interwebs, and we dutifully reported on the story as we always do. According to Pontiac, though, those rumors are nothing more than speculation and should not be taken as gospel unless you hear it from the horse's (or Mr. Lutz's) mouth, which we have not. Still, the rumor in question indicates that the G8 will live on at least another five years, assuming it continues to sell that long, but would not be replaced after that. This could still be the case. Likewise, the Solstice has not been canceled, but it's replacement in GM's lineup still seems unlikely given the low volume of sales the vehicle attracts. In short, nobody can predict the future, but sometimes the handwriting on the wall isn't that tough to read.

Gallery: 2008 Pontiac G8 GXP - Live Reveal

[Source: Pontiac Underground]

Pontiac: G8 and Solstice not being canceled originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RWD Pontiac G8 will be dead in five years

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Pontiac

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT

It looks like things will be getting a lot less exciting at Pontiac, as some reports indicate that the erstwhile performance brand will be losing its best performers. Despite the fact that the G8 sedan has seen nothing but positive press from the media, including your humble scribes here at Autoblog, the realities of fuel economy and the global economy appear set to kill off the rear-wheel drive performance sedan in the prime of its short life. GM will reportedly not renew the G8 after its Holden-sourced chassis architecture is redesigned following a planned five-year run.

The Pontiac Solstice in both coupe and convertible forms is also unlikely to see a second generation. Unfortunately, the Solstice, Saturn Sky and their Opel spin-off don't generate enough sales to support another go-round, which could leave Pontiac with exactly zero vehicles with overtly sporting pretensions. While the G6 may be a decent car, it and a Cobalt derivative in the form of the G5 and a rebadged Aveo known as the G3 do not a BMW competitor make. What does this mean for the future of Pontiac as a brand? We'll see.

Gallery: Review: 2008 Pontiac G8 GT

[Source: Inside Line]

RWD Pontiac G8 will be dead in five years originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pontiac Solstice Coupe to pack 300 horses?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Pontiac, Saturn

Click above for high-res live shots of the 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe

Sporting a specific output of 130 horsepower-per-liter, the turbocharged, direct-injected Ecotec four-cylinder from GM that's featured in the Pontiac Solstice GXP, Saturn Sky Redline and SS versions of the Chevy HHR and Cobalt, is already one heck of an accomplishment. But wait... there's more -- power that is. According to Motor Trend, shortly after the Solstice Coupe goes on sale next year, the blown-Ecotec could make 300 horsepower or more, putting it in close competition with performance stalwarts such as Nissan's Z. What's more, the same engine should also be available in the convertible versions of both the Solstice GXP and Saturn Sky Redline as well, paired only with a five-speed manual tranny in all applications.

This is just a rumor at this point, but MT seems pretty confident in its validity, citing higher intercooled boost along with a new fuel rail as the tech behind the power increase. The rumor does not mention if the higher-output mill will appear in other applications, though we remember something about the Camaro possibly getting a turbo-four mill as an option, and a tuner-friendly option offering 300 galloping horsies in stock form would make for a very interesting option in the pony car.

[Source: Motor Trend via eGMCarTech]

Pontiac Solstice Coupe to pack 300 horses? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2008: Top debuts of the show (w/ Poll)

Chris Shunk — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 20:55:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Coupe, Etc., Videos, Hyundai, Kia, Pontiac, Suzuki

The 2008 New York Auto Show press preview is in the books, and now it's the public's turn to roam the floor in the Javits Center. After thinking things over, we thought we'd put together a video of our top five most significant introductions from the show. New York served as a launching pad for exciting new vehicles like the Hyundai Genesis Coupe and Saleen S5S Raptor, so there were some winners to choose from. Click play on the video above to see our picks for the most significant debuts, and follow the jump to check out the high-res shots from the show floor and place your vote for which ride you think deserves the number one spot.

Continue reading New York 2008: Top debuts of the show (w/ Poll)

New York 2008: Top debuts of the show (w/ Poll) originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Mar 2008 20:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York '08 Preview: Pontiac Solstice Coupe spotted on Pontiac.com

John Neff — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:59:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Pontiac

The thing about the internet is, once something gets published, it can't be taken back. We're sure Pontiac feels that way about this little image that appeared on its official website at some point in the recent past. It shows the Pontiac G8 sport truck and, lo and behold, a Solstice Coupe! Thankfully, an Autoblog reader saw it and had the sense to take a screen grab before it was yanked, ~~and yanked it was. We can't find the image on pontiac.com currently, and it's not in Google cache, either.~~ The picture is still live here on Pontiac.com. Just look for the tabbed box below the G8's tire, and click to the second tab. ~~So while Pontiac would probably like us to forget that this picture ever popped up, the internet ensures we never have to.~~ Stay tuned for live shots of the real thing this Wednesday when we'll be on the floor at the 2008 New York Auto Show. Thanks for the tip, Mike!

New York '08 Preview: Pontiac Solstice Coupe spotted on Pontiac.com originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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